Loyola professor pushes UN to act in Iran

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Loyola University New Orleans history professor Behrooz Moazami, Ph.D., joined more than 40 colleagues from across North America and Europe to call for a United Nations envoy to Iran to investigate possible voting and human rights violations.

“The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has failed to respect the outcome of an electoral process which had already been restricted to four trusted candidates,” the letter reads. “In reaction to the peaceful protests by citizens and voters who felt cheated, the government resorted to outright violence, further suppression of rights and restriction of all media coverage. University dormitories have been attacked and students and faculty savagely beaten and detained. Most tragically, several students have already been killed.”

“We commend the remarkable and resilient actions of the grassroots organizations of Iranian civil society led by courageous women, students, teachers and workers and support their demands for democracy, individual liberties and political and religious freedoms.”

Moazami, who teaches Middle Eastern history and peace studies, was reared in Iran and experienced the life of a revolutionary. He holds degrees from the University of Paris and the New School for Social Research.

To schedule an interview with Moazami, contact Sean Snyder in the Office of Public Affairs at 504-861-5882 or by e-mail at smsnyder@loyno.edu.